[Sears]

Quick question, I tried searching but no real luck...my 968 (92 coupe, tiptronic, 35k) randomly starts very oddly. It typically starts after the engine has turned over several times (as compared to firing immediately upon turning over). If I let go of the key a second early, it becomes very tricky to start and when it does start the rpms don't jump to idle speed, it sort of barely starts and then the idle stabilizes. It can take several turns of the key to get it to start when this happens. I'm not putting my foot on the gas in any circumstance.
Any advice about what may be causing this, I'm not sure if I have a sensor that is acting up or maybe this is just how these cars start. I haven't had the pleasure to start or drive any other 968, ever, to compare.
Thanks,

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[rhudeboye]

Change out that DME and your starting problems will be history.

http://www.paragon-products.com/Fuel_Pump_....615.227.00.htm

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[PorscheDude]

Has the fuel filter ever been changed?
How's the ignition components?

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[Sears]

Forgot to mention I installed a new DME a few months ago, so I don't think it's that.

I don't think the fuel filter has ever been changed, but then again it has had a 60k service at a Porsche dealer before (even though it didn't have 60k on the clock, obviously). That may be part of that. I also assume the ignition components are original. I did install new spark plugs (the NGKs everyone seems to like on this site) a few months ago, but this problem hasn't gotten better or worse since that installation.

It is odd, 95% of the time I have no problems and it starts like I guess it should. The other 5% is not confidence-inspiring.

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[94SilverCab]

Cap and Rotors are a known weak point, time related.

Regards,

Jay

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[flash]

i presume you mean that you changed the DME relay and not the actually the DME - while not likely the problem, never assume a new part is good

obviously check the normal things: plugs, cap, rotor, etc

fuel filter and/or check valve could cause this, but you should also see performance issues

hard starting, particularly intermittent, points to an unhappy sensor, like intake temp, MAF, etc

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[Cloud9...68]

I'm afraid this doesn't help, but my car has EXACTLY the same symptoms as the OP's. I've just lived with it as yet another quirk of the car. I'd say mine starts normally closer to 98 or 99% of the time, but the weirdness that happens that other 1-2% of the time is a little unnerving. I think I've increased my success rate due to lots of practice with very deft timing of releasing the key at just the right instant - not late enough to cause the starter teeth to grind, but not an instant too soon, so as to bring on the hard starting the OP describes. It's things like this, along with stuff like the gymnastics required to get into the seat without rubbing against the seat bolster (which is a major factor in my obsession with physical fitness - I knocked out 20 pull-ups the day after my 50th birthday) that gives this car, and its drivers, character. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]

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[Mark]

Check your grounds and the rest of the power cables. By the cable kit from our sponsor, it made my problem go away entirely. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[968gene]

Guys, I chased an intermittent starting problem on my 944 16v track car that was related to an intermittent high speed miss...after two years, many many new parts, and several Bosch certified technicians, an old air-cooled guy had someone wiggle the crank sensor wire and the car started. Replaced the crank sensor and no issues since.

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[Cloud9...68]

"Check your grounds and the rest of the power cables. By the cable kit from our sponsor, it made my problem go away entirely. "

Mark,

Whether the new power cables fix the starting problem or not, getting them is great advice. On my list for sure...

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[Sears]

Cloud, I think my percentage is probably more like yours. I'll take a closer look at the cap and rotor. Plugs are good, they were put in 1000 miles ago and starting is same as it was before. It's all about the timing of when I release the key. If I let go too soon or too late it falls into the hard starting category.

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[Cloud9...68]

I've replaced plugs, cap, rotor, plug wires, fuel filter, DME relay, starter relay, the starter itself, and probably another 20 things I've forgotten, none of which has impacted the starting problem (not that these are bad things to do by any means). I'm sure it's some obscure connection or sensor that isn't quite right. Could be a real needle-in-a-haystack endeavor to find. Such is ownership of a 15+ year old car. But you never know, you might get lucky and nail it...

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